Drew says he's in no rush

The third-year running back is content to split carries with veteran Taylor.

Vito Stellino

Jaguars running back Maurice Drew is willing to wait until his time comes ... even if it seems to be a bit overdue.

Drew showed he could carry the load in Denver on Oct. 12 when running back Fred Taylor was hit in the head and limited to three carries.

Drew took over and carried 22 times for 125 yards and caught two passes for 23 yards.

The impressive showing prompted many fans to suggest that it was time for Taylor to step aside and let Drew get more carries.

Drew isn't a member of that chorus. He's quite content to split time with Taylor. Because Drew is 23 and Taylor is 32, Drew knows time is on his side.

"I just need to be patient and wait," Drew said. "It doesn't bother me. There will be a time when Fred retires. It's not a big deal to me. As long as we're winning, I could care less. Obviously, when we were losing [earlier in the season], I got a little upset [about a lack of carries]."

Taylor and Drew work well together.

"He's a great person," Taylor said. "I admire Maurice for so many different reasons, from his personality to the way he plays on the field and his passion for the game."

Taylor said they aren't bothered by fans who want Drew to get the ball more.

"Maurice's time has come," Taylor said. "Unfortunately, for the past two years, I've been the veteran guy that's sort of been in his way. But he's [been] ready to play and be a starter since he stepped his foot in here."

Taylor knows the sand is starting to run out of his hourglass.

"I've always felt like the team was going to take the training wheels off [Drew] eventually," Taylor said. "That's just the reality of our sport. Does that say I'm backing down from any challenge? No. Does that say I'm going to compete any less? No. I'm going to go out and contribute to try to help this team the best I can, whether it's in a starting role or as a backup."

Taylor said being the starter is somewhat symbolic, because they tend to play about the same amount of time.

Although both runners said they never take any opponent lightly, they both figure to have big days Sunday against a Cleveland Browns defense ranked 26th against the run. Taylor could reach a milestone. He's 43 yards shy of 11,000 in his career.

Both players are off to slow starts this year, with Drew at 301 yards and Taylor at 242.

"Who would have thought that, going into the seventh game, I wouldn't even have 300 yards?" Taylor asked.

Since rushing for 121 yards at Indianapolis, he has only 54 yards in the past three games.

But Taylor remembered that when he reached the 10,000-yard mark last year in the ninth game of the season, he then went on a roll.

He gained 85 yards the next week, and then had five consecutive 100-yard games before sitting out the season finale.

"It seems like as soon as it happened, it kind of catapulted me," Taylor said.

Taylor hopes history repeats itself and the 11,000-yard mark becomes a springboard.

"Let's hurry up and get this 11,000-yard thing out of the way so I can go about my business," Taylor said.

Etc.

WR Matt Jones hasn't been suspended, because he practiced Tuesday when the Jaguars resumed drills after the bye week. Jones didn't go into the locker room during media time to discuss whether he's appealing what ESPN reported will be a three-game suspension stemming from his drug arrest in Arkansas in July. Jones now appears likely to play against the Browns.